January 24, 2023
(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Gregory Reed, 57, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for the first degree offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Family Member. “This brave woman survived a deadly attack by fighting for her life against an axe-wielding abuser, who scarred her permanently. She then had the courage to face him in court. In return, this violent habitual offender deserved nothing less than the maximum sentence,” stated Willis after sentencing.
On June 9, 2021, officers with the Plano Police Department were dispatched to a home on Buckle Lane in reference to an aggravated assault. Upon arrival at the home, family members told officers that they believed Reed had used an axe to attack his girlfriend and then left the location, taking the victim with him. Officers observed obvious signs of an offense, including lots of blood, and recovered an axe. Reed and the victim were located at a nearby hospital wherein the victim had significant injuries to her hand and arm.
Once separated from her perpetrator, the victim told police that while she was sleeping, Reed woke her up wielding an axe and swung it at her. The victim used her hands and arms to defend herself and he eventually stopped the attack due to the victim begging for her life. The attack resulted in significant injuries that have required multiple surgeries and resulted in permanent disfigurement.
The case was investigated by Plano Detective Chris McEntire. Plano officers Jennifer Akin and Mike Green testified at trial.
Judge Benjamin Smith presided over the case, found Reed guilty, and assessed the life sentence. Reed had been previously sentenced to prison for five years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and 19 years for assault family violence with previous conviction.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Justin Dotzel and Cresta Garland prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigators Robin Laughon and Mike Bennett and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White.
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